Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office seeks approval to buy military equipment
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sheriff’s Office seeks approval for $300K Bearcat, 27 drones, and SPOT robot.
- Military equipment used over 200 times; deployment shows racial disparities.
- Board will revisit funding request after 2025–26 budget approval this summer.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will review a request from the Sheriff’s Office to purchase military equipment, including a Lenco Bearcat, an armored vehicle that costs $300,000.
The Sheriff’s Office seeks this equipment to replace older inventory as needed, according to the county’s report. In addition to the Bearcat, the Sheriff has asked for 27 drones — 19 to expand the current fleet and eight for its first responder program. And the Sheriff’s Office is requesting a Boston Dynamics SPOT Robot, a four-legged robot used to reach unattainable areas.
Currently, the office has 56 drones, which are used for search-and-rescue and “high risk operations,” according to the agency’s presentation. The inventory also includes nine robots, three armored vehicles, and three high mobility multi-purpose vehicles.
Community activists have criticized the use of military equipment. “The disproportionate use of military equipment and force by law enforcement in communities of color, particularly against Black Californians,” said Keyan Bliss at a Board of Supervisors meeting in 2024.
Bliss is a part of the Anti Police Terror Project and a former commissioner of the city of Sacramento’s Community Police Review Commission.
“We respond to incidents by deploying the appropriate personnel, equipment, and tactics based on the nature of the crime, the actions of the suspect, and overall tactical considerations,” Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, said in an email. “Our priority is always the safety of both our personnel and the community. Race does not play a factor in determining how we respond or what resources we deploy.”
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office originally approached the county in June seeking pre-approval for new equipment. Due to financial concerns, Supervisor Phil Serna led a motion to defer the discussion until after the 2025-2026 county budget passed. Within the same month, the Sheriff’s Office received an annual budget of more than $700 million.
The Sheriff’s Office is required to ask the Board of Supervisors for equipment per California law. In 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 481, which requires law enforcement to have a military equipment use policy and have funding approval from a local governing body.
The Board of Supervisors will discuss the military equipment request at 9:30 a.m. in the county chambers at 700 H St. Meetings are also streamed live at metro14live.saccounty.gov.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
